Minutes for Memories offers support, games

By Amanda Roberge CORRESPONDENT

Tuesday

Jan 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM

The harsh lessons of a 2006 accident has led to a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing and supporting recreational activities for people 5 to 25 who have suffered brain injuries or sustained significant physical injuries.

Life can change in the blink of an eye.

People get hurt, accidents happen and the hands of time cannot be reset. This harsh lesson, learned by two friends during the summer of 2006, has led to the creation of Minutes for Memories, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing and supporting recreational activities for people aged 5 to 25 who have suffered brain injuries or sustained significant physical injuries.

Addison Russell, a resident of Holden, was involved in a tubing accident on Lake Quinsigamond when he was just 18. The accident left him in a coma for nine months. Against all odds, he awakened to a life of being wheelchair-bound and needing intensive rehabilitation for his head injuries. The incident occurred just weeks before he was to leave for Emmanuel College, where he had been recruited to play soccer.

As his close friend and classmate at St. Peter-Marian High School, Matt Roach has spent years contemplating how to honor that experience and turn it into something positive.

“[Addison] was one of the best athletes I have ever known,” said Mr. Roach as he prepared to execute his first Minutes for Memories fundraiser. A kickoff dinner, including a silent auction and raffles, will be held Jan. 13, at St. Peter-Marian's school cafeteria, 781 Grove St., Worcester. “He's come such a long way, and his progress has been unbelievable.”

As impressive as his recovery has been, and as much character as Mr. Russell has shown in the face of his challenges, Mr. Roach believes that it has helped immensely for his friend to have had options to participate in team sports.

“Watching him get involved with Power Soccer has been awesome,” he said, adding that he hopes to use his foundation to support Addison's team at some point. “I am really excited for the team.”

Minutes for Memories — which will offer kids the opportunity to “have a little fun” — is looking to become affiliated with local organizations that can offer referrals for Mr. Roach and his team of volunteers.

“In Addison's case, he was fortunate because he has so many people who care so much about him,” said Mr. Roach, who credits a strong and “always smiling” family network with his friend's recovery. “But I wanted to create a charity that would fill that void in the lives of kids who don't have a lot of people to lean on.”

The hardest part, he added, is that his dreams for Minutes for Memories are going to require a good chunk of change.

“Right now, I feel like I don't have enough money to really help, which is why I am reaching out to the community,” he said.

Once the funding is there, Mr. Roach will be able to begin facilitating trips to sporting events for kids who love to watch games, supporting local wheelchair sport teams and perhaps sponsoring more local sporting opportunities for kids between the ages of 5 and 25 who have suffered brain injuries or physical trauma.

“Having fun is important to recovery,” he said. “And sometimes knowing someone cares is half the battle.”

To purchase tickets or for more information about the event, email Matt Roach through the organization's website, www.minutesformemories.org.

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